"Despite rumors of being Nazi supporters, Slayer's complex history encompasses peaks, valleys, heated debates, and remarkable recoveries, as detailed in this account."

In the early 1980s, a heavy metal band emerged from Huntington Park, California, ready to shake up the music scene. Known as Slayer, they were initially based in Orange County before they became a Bay Area band [1]. Their early years were characterised by a heavy reliance on satanic and occult imagery, a blend of influences from NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and hardcore punk bands such as Black Flag [5].

Their debut album, Show No Mercy, recorded on a graveyard shift from midnight until 6am each night to get cheaper studio rates, marked their arrival with fast, aggressive thrash metal and provocative satanic themes intended to shock and energize a niche audience [3]. The album opener, Angel Of Death, was marked by its bowel-churning scream and a factual dissection of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele [5].

Slayer struggled to find a place in the local Los Angeles music scene, which was dominated by hair metal bands like Ratt, Dokken, and Mötley Crüe. They gravitated further and further from the neon strips of LA and became more of an Orange County band [2]. Despite the challenges, they gained underground buzz with early recordings like "Aggressive Perfector" [1].

The first Slayer track to feature on record was Aggressive Perfector, which was on Metal Blade's Metal Massacre series in 1983 [1]. Their breakthrough came with Reign In Blood, released in 1986, an instant classic of jugular-slicing thrash excellence and one of metal's most perfectly formed and important releases. Produced by Rick Rubin, Reign In Blood peaked at No.94 in the US Billboard charts [4].

Slayer's later success brought them mainstream recognition as one of the "Big Four" of American thrash metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Their music evolved to incorporate more complex technical precision, intense speed, and lyrical themes that included war, aggression, and critiques of religion and society, moving somewhat away from purely satanic imagery to broader controversial topics [1]. This period also saw heightened controversy tied to their graphic and confrontational content, which sparked debates but also expanded their influence across metal and wider music scenes.

During this period, they released South Of Heaven, which intentionally featured more heavy songs to offset the fast ones [6]. The album saw Slayer film music videos for War Ensemble and the title track, which received heavy rotation on MTV [6]. However, controversy struck during their set at The Forum in Los Angeles, when someone intentionally plunged from the balcony [2].

Slayer's career has been marked by significant changes, such as Dave Lombardo leaving the band during a tour supporting W.A.S.P., citing insufficient earnings [7]. They also released Diabolus In Musica in 1998, which saw Kerry step back from songwriting and the band dip into groove and nu metal with mixed results [8].

Despite these changes, Slayer's impact on the metal music scene has been profound, particularly thrash metal, death metal, and black metal. Their rallying cry for metalheads worldwide is 'Slayer!' or 'SLAYYYYYAAAARGHH!' [9]. Every June 6, fans celebrate an annual International Day Of Slayer in their honour [10]. As pioneers and provocateurs, Slayer continues to set off frenzies among fans whenever they return to play [3].

References: 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer_(band)#Early_years 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer_(band)#1983%E2%80%931986 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer_(band)#Later_career 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reign_In_Blood 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_of_Death_(song)#Lyrics_and_content 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_of_Heaven 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Lombardo 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabolus_in_Musica 9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slayer_(band)#Legacy 10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_Slayer

The bassist of Slayer, a band known for their aggressive metal sound, played a crucial role in shaping their distinctive live performances.
Slayer's music has connections to several subgenres, including prog metal, death metal, and even some elements of punk, reflecting the band's diverse influences.
At a concert, a solo by the guitarist of Slayer often ignites a frenzy among the crowd, showcasing his technical prowess.
In 1983, Slayer's 'Aggressive Perfector' was the first track by the band to be featured on a vinyl release.
The band's album 'Reign In Blood' was a game-changer for the thrash metal genre, with its unmatched intensity and flawless execution, making it a significant release in the history of metal music.
Despite various changes in the band's lineup and musical direction, Slayer has continued to tour extensively, playing at major festivals around the world.
The Slayer album 'South Of Heaven' was intentionally balanced, featuring a mix of heavier and faster songs to cater to a wider audience.
The music video for 'War Ensemble' from Swayer's 'South Of Heaven' album received heavy rotation on MTV, further boosting the band's popularity.
On certain occasions, Slayer concerts have been marred by unexpected incidents, such as the intentional fall from the balcony at The Forum in Los Angeles.
The band's drummer, Dave Lombardo, temporarily left the group during a tour due to disputes over earnings.
Slayer's influence on the metal music scene goes beyond thrash, death, and black metal, making a significant impact on the broader entertainment and music landscape.

"Despite rumors of being Nazi supporters, Slayer's complex history encompasses peaks, valleys, heated debates, and remarkable recoveries, as detailed in this account."